Patna, Aug 25 (IANS) The poorest of the poor among the Dalits and Muslims have been the worst hit by Bihar’s floods, according to a survey by a group of voluntary organisations.
About 75 percent of Dalits and 66 percent of Muslims have been badly affected in the state, said the survey by Dalit Watch. Houses of 62 percent of Dalits and 60 percent of Muslims have been destroyed in the floods, it said.
Dalit activist Paul Diwakar said the figures were compiled on the basis of field reports. “We have collected the data after visiting 2,378 villages affected by floods.”
The report, titled “The Affected And Relief And Rehabilitation”, said relief was yet to reach nearly 60 percent of flood-affected areas in the state.
Sudha Verghese of Nari Gunjan, an NGO, urged the government officials to visit flood-affected villages of Dalits and Muslims to assess the damage.
The death toll in the floods has reached 432. Officials said over 18.5 million people in 9,213 villages from 20 districts were affected.
According to the state disaster management department, floods have hit the state for the 29th time in the last 28 years.
They have resulted in the deaths of 4,952 people, destruction of public property worth Rs.1.7 million and damage to crops totalling Rs.3.4 million.